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Recent scandals and allegations of workplace bullying have put the spotlight on the treatment of women in Parliament. Today, Karen Middleton on the unique power dynamic between politicians and the people who work for them.   Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton. Background reading: Exclusive: Government refuses to release staff bullying report in The Saturday...

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is under assault, with two former Prime Ministers, from opposite sides of politics, uniting in their criticism of the media company. Today, Mike Seccombe on whether the world’s biggest media empire might actually be under threat. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.c...

In this episode, writer, actor, activist, and recently one of Who magazine’s sexiest people of 2020, Nakkiah Lui and her tv editor husband, Gabe Dowrick, tell us how many teeth an adult human should have, figure out which European nation owns the Dodecanese islands, and discuss the number of presidents of the United States who have died in office. Guests:  Nakkiah Lui and Gabe Dowrick Background r...

Joe Biden’s victory in the United States has already had ramifications for Australian politics, particularly on the issue of climate change. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political shockwaves rolling across the Pacific. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is struggling to contain the fallout of the coronavirus, but has the pandemic exposed something more fundamentally broken about our economic system? Today, Yanis Varoufakis on where things went wrong, and how to envisage a fairer world.   Guest: Economist and former finance minister for Greece, Yanis Varoufakis. Background reading: After the virus: How to design a post-capitalist world i...

After one of the most tumultuous periods in recent US history, voters have chosen Joe Biden to try and reunite a divided country. Today, Jonathan Pearlman on Joe Biden’s life, his upcoming presidency, and what it means for important issues like climate change.   Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper Jonathan Pearlman. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.c...

A new report collating the experiences of hundreds of frontline workers has revealed how criminal and judicial systems are failing victims of family violence. Today, Rick Morton on how we’re still letting down survivors, and what needs to change. This episode contains descriptions of family violence.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Policing family v...

Australia has managed to effectively suppress Covid-19, but with more international arrivals experts predict that outbreaks will continue. Today, Amy Coopes on the measures that will keep Australia safe from here on. Guest: Health journalist and writer for The Saturday Paper Amy Coopes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Barclay and Tom Ward like going to amusement parks. But Emily is too scared to go on any of the roller-coasters, so Tom has to do so on her behalf. Their approach to the quiz is much the same. Tom goes hurtling towards answers he clearly doesn’t know, while Emily chimes in from a safe distance. The daffodil is the national flower of which British country? What nationality was Hans Christian...

Protests have broken out across the US in response to Donald Trump’s attempts to cling to power. But as counting continues in key states, Joe Biden’s position is becoming stronger. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what a potential Biden presidency could look like, and whether Trump will succeed in hijacking the result.   Guest: Reporter for 7am Oscar Schwartz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...

After a full night of counting votes, the outcome of the US Presidential election still remains in doubt, with Donald Trump holding on to key states that delivered him victory in 2016. Today, Oscar Schwartz on what drove voters to each candidate, and what the results mean for a nation already exhausted by division.    Guest: Reporter for 7am, Oscar Schwartz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and o...

As voters in the US head to the polls, President Trump has warned that a close or uncertain result could spark chaos. Behind the scenes both parties have been locked in a battle over voting rights. Today, Rick Morton on the fight against voter suppression, and why, no matter who wins, the US is facing a fractured future. Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading...

After losing last year’s election the Labor party turned to Anthony Albanese to rebuild. But what does he actually stand for? Today, Richard Cooke on how Albanese compares to leaders like Jacinda Ardern, and whether he can find his party a path out of the wilderness. Guest: Writer for The Monthly Richard Cooke. Background reading: The disappearing man in The Monthly See acast.com/privacy for priva...

In recent years Australia has seen an acceleration in law and order style electioneering, and it’s led to a record high incarceration rate. Now, as a global conversation about justice reform continues, there are growing calls to change our approach. Today, Mike Seccombe, on who gets jailed in Australia and what needs to change. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Ba...

Pressure has started to mount on the federal government following a string of scandals involving senior public officials. Labor and crossbench senators used Senate hearings this week to forensically examine government departments, bureaucrats and ministers. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the government’s attempts to use Covid-19 to deflect criticism. Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorn...

This week, the Victorian government began cutting down sacred Djab Wurrung trees to make way for a highway expansion between Melbourne and Adelaide. After years of protest, police moved in to dismantle an embassy on the site. Today, Djab Wurrung woman and Greens senator Lidia Thorpe on the fight to save her peoples’ heritage. Guest: Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy an...

As an investigation into Australia Post’s leadership gets underway, a deeper crisis at the organisation is threatening to jeopardise the way it operates. Today, Rick Morton on what went wrong at Australia Post.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton Background reading: What went wrong inside Australia Post? in The Saturday Paper See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inf...

The controversial Adani coalmine in Queensland has already been approved by both state and federal governments, but a new legal challenge by two teenagers could be one last roll of the dice to stop it from going ahead. Today, Anna Krien on the cracks opening up in the federal government’s backing of Adani. Guest: Writer for The Saturday Paper Anna Krien. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...

Australia’s relationship with Indonesia has a significant impact on our culture, economy and national security. But despite our proximity, it’s often been a relationship defined by tension as well as indifference. Today, Karen Middleton on Australia’s regional blind spot, and why it’s time we started engaging more closely with South-East Asia. Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday...

As political battles over the government’s stimulus measures and proposed industrial relations reforms loom, Scott Morrison has been taking aim at the federal opposition. Today, Paul Bongiorno on how the prime minister is drawing influence from his political predecessors.    Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnys...

After enduring one of the world’s longest lockdowns, Melbourne is slowly reopening and hairdressers are some of the first businesses allowed to welcome customers back. Today, Rick Morton on the return of hairdressers, and the intimate role they play in our lives.   Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See omnystudio.c...

In recent weeks refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia have received letters from the federal government stripping them of financial support and threatening them with deportation. Today, Rick Morton on the newest frontline in the government’s war on refugees.  Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton. Background reading: Exclusive: War on refugees moves to final phase ons...

A week after her secret relationship with a politician being investigated over corruption was first revealed, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is still facing questions over what she knew. Today, MIke Seccombe on what the Premier’s connection to a disgraced MP means for her political future. Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe. Background reading: ‘Poor Gladys’ rings h...

After more than 100 days of strict lockdown, Victorians finally have a new path out of restrictions. It signals a more gradual easing than the government originally hoped, after outbreaks amongst frontline workers led to a spike in case numbers Today, Osman Faruqi on the story behind the slower path out of lockdown and where the risk now lies.   Guest: Editor of 7am Osman Faruqi. Background readin...

All the way from their home in Los Angeles, actors Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall provide more information than is entirely necessary as they stumble across the answers to this week’s quiz. We get an insight into safe work practices on film sets in the time of Covid-19, and a special bonus question about Cats. Guests: Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-o...